PARALEGAL STUDIES. SF STATE Extended Learning 2013/2014. Graduate Benefit See page 2. SF State ABA Approved Academic Certificate Program

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1 SF STATE Extended Learning 2013/2014 Graduate Benefit See page 2 SF State ABA Approved Academic Certificate Program PARALEGAL STUDIES San Francisco State University joins the list of 250 ABA approved programs offered by colleges and universities across the country. It is the only ABA approved program in San Francisco and one of only four in the Bay Area. The paralegal program at SF State began in 1975 and continues a commitment to educational excellence; having graduated more than 900 paralegals. The program holds you to top standards: if you can succeed in it, you will be well prepared for paralegal work anywhere. For instance, I found the assignments to be very realistic, virtually identical to the work I do everyday as a paralegal. Particularly important, I learned through the program how to approach an assignment: the research needed, the language used for legal memos and pleadings, the organization required for all the pre-trial discovery and the work of an actual trial. I also met wonderful people who continue to be important resources for me in my work. Professionally and financially, completing the certificate program has been extremely worthwhile. Pam Rolph, Senior Intellectual Property Paralegal Downtown Campus 835 Market St., 6th floor Powell St. BART/Muni (415)

2 PARALEGAL STUDIES Academic Certificate Program SF State ABA Approved Paralegal Studies Academic Certificate San Francisco State University is pleased to announce that the American Bar Association has granted approval to the Paralegal Studies program offered by SF State Extended Learning. This is the only ABA approved paralegal studies program in San Francisco. Recent California legislation defines who may call himself or herself a paralegal and sets forth educational criteria for paralegals. One of the criteria is graduation from a program approved by the American Bar Association. Please refer to the section on New California Legislation on Paralegals cited to the right. Related Title/Areas: CASE MANAGER CLAIMS ADJUSTER COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR/OFFICER COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CONSUMER ADVOCATE/CONSULTANT COURT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT COURT-APPOINTED CHILD ADVOCATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR GUARDIAN AD LITEM GUARDIANSHIP COORDINATOR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION ADMINISTRATOR HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR INSURANCE ADJUSTER LAND-USE PLANNER LAW LIBRARIAN LAW OFFICE MANAGER LEGAL BOOK EDITOR LEGAL ADMINISTRATOR LEGAL ASSISTANT MANAGER LEGISLATIVE ANALYST LOAN ADMINISTRATOR MARKETER OF LEGAL SERVICES MEDIATOR MILITARY LEGAL SPECIALIST OMBUDSMAN PATENTS SPECIALIST PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATOR PROBATION OFFICER RISK MANAGER SECURITIES COMPLIANCE CLERK TITLE CHECKER TRADE ASSOCIATION LOBBYIST TRADEMARK ADMINISTRATOR TRUST ADMINISTRATOR VICTIM ADVOCATE The Profession Paralegals or legal assistants are highly skilled paraprofessionals who work with attorneys in all areas of civil and criminal law. The American Bar Association defines this occupation as follows: A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegal functions are diverse and wide-ranging, including drafting legal documents, interviewing clients, conducting legal research, and investigating and preparing cases for trial. Employment and Qualifications Paralegals are employed in private law firms, public interest and legal aid organizations, corporations, banks and government agencies. Some paralegals work as independent contractors providing their services to lawyers on a contract basis. Others work independently as non- lawyer advocates representing persons before administrative agencies. In large law firms, career paths from document and case clerks to senior paralegals have been developed. Because of the growth in the need for legal training for employees in all sectors of the economy, new avenues of employment are being created on a continuous basis. Paralegal Studies Advising and Career Information Session A special advising and career information session for prospective Paralegal students is held three times a year before the start of each semester. Program graduates who are practicing paralegals, representatives from the San Francisco Paralegal Association, and members of the program staff will provide information on the program, career opportunities and the profession. See SF State Extended Learning catalog or go to for current dates. California Legislation on Paralegals The state of California adopted legislation that defines the titles paralegal and legal assistant and sets educational criteria and continuing education requirements for paralegals. The San Francisco State University Paralegal Studies certificate program meets the educational requirements of the law by virtue of being offered by an accredited institution with an ABA-approved program, and consisting of more than 24 semester units of paralegal coursework. We also offer a series of paralegal continuing education courses to meet the continuing education standards established by the Business and Professions Code Section 6450 et. seq. The statute defines paralegal/legal assistant as a person who contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an active member of the State Bar of California... The statute is intended to differentiate paralegals who work under the supervision of an attorney from persons who provide services directly to the public and are required under California law to be registered as Legal Document Assistants. Paralegals perform a wide variety of tasks, some of which are set forth in the new law. Among these are case planning, development and management; legal research; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting and analyzing legal documents; collecting, compiling and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is permitted by statute, court rule, or administrative rule or regulation.

3 Standards are high in the legal profession and most law firms require some college background and formal paralegal education. Large firms usually require a B.A. degree. Employers also require paralegals to have highly developed oral and written communication skills, plus organizational and computer skills*. *For a complete description of the California legislation, see Business and Professional Code section 6450, at THE PROGRAM SF State Extended Learning offers a 30-academic-unit certificate program in paralegal studies, providing instruction in practical legal skills and substantive law. Courses are conducted at the upper-division level and are taught by attorneys and paralegals, all of whom have practical experience in the field. This program is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), which requires that all of its member programs be in substantial compliance with nationally recognized guidelines. It is also accredited through San Francisco State University by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the official regional accrediting body for academic institutions in the western part of the country, and is approved by the American Bar Association. Program Objectives The primary goal of the Paralegal Studies certificate program is to educate students for positions as paralegals as a means of improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of legal services. The program s key objectives are: to provide students with an overview of the legal system and law practice to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills to work in civil litigation to prepare students to perform legal research and to draft a variety of legal documents to teach students the rules and laws governing the conduct of paralegals and to help them internalize high ethical values and behavior to help students develop strong oral and written communication skills to provide students with the opportunity to learn the skills needed to function in one or more areas of practice other than litigation Length of Program The 30 units required to earn the certificate may be completed in as short a time as months 4 or 5 semesters or students may choose to take as long as four years. International students and other students who are required to complete this program in one year; or students who wish to complete this program in 12 months (3 semesters); are encouraged to see Pat Medina for academic counseling. The recommended course load per semester is 3 or 4 courses. Students are not permitted to register in more than 4 courses per semester. Cost of Program The total cost of the program is approximately $8,200 plus a $50 non-refundable application fee. Most courses are $275 per unit. Lab fees are,added for courses that require computer lab sessions. Students pay for courses on a semester-by-semester basis. Each semester, fees are subject to increase as needed. Additional costs for texts and materials vary by course from approximately $15 to $100. Location and Frequency of Classes Classes are offered in the daytime and evenings at the SF State Downtown Campus, 835 Market Street, 6th floor, San Francisco. Classes begin three times per year in late August, late January, and late May or early June. In fall and spring semesters, each class is scheduled for two and a half hours per night, one night per week for 15 weeks. Summer term courses are generally offered one night a week for three and a half hours per night for 11 weeks. Admission Requirements Students are required to have a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of prior academic course credit to be admitted to the program. Students who hold a baccalaureate degree are automatically eligible for admission to the program. Students who do not have a B.A./B.S. but have completed the required units of academic college work are eligible if their college work includes at least 30 semester or 45 quarter units of academic general education courses in four basic skills courses: oral communication, written composition, critical thinking, and mathematics or quantitative reasoning; and have completed those courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, within five years of their application to SF State Paralegal program. Students with at least three years of legal experience who have at least 45 semester or 68 quarter units of college work may petition for conditional admission. Official transcripts verifying units must be accompanied by an attorney declaration attesting to their legal work experience, which must have been within five years of their application to SF State Paralegal program. Admission Procedures Students must apply for admission by the end of the first semester in which they enroll. A non-refundable application fee of $50 must be paid when submitting the application. All students must supply official transcripts of their college work. Students with baccalaureate or academic associate degrees need to provide official transcripts from the college from which they graduated. Students without such a degree must provide college transcripts from all the colleges they attended. Students are responsible for contacting the colleges they attended and arranging for official transcripts to be sent directly to the program, or they must hand carry these records to the program offices in a sealed envelope. Re-Admission: Certificate program students who do not register for courses for one calendar year are considered inactive and must reapply to the program by paying an additional $50 application fee and submitting a new application. Non-Certificate Students Those who already have experience in the legal field and who wish to take selected courses without applying to the program may register for courses with the permission of the individual instructor and program director. Transfer of Credits A maximum of nine upper-division, academic semester units may be transferred from another ABA-approved paralegal program; if the student received a grade of B or better. Transfer units must have the same three semester unit weight to replace an SF State Paralegal class. Students who wish to transfer units from another ABA-approved Paralegal Program must submit transcripts and full course descriptions of each course at the time they submit their application to the Paralegal Program. We reserve the right to accept courses based on how closely they match SF State Paralegal courses. Courses that are not an exact match for our required courses may count at our discretion as electives. Courses must have been completed with five years of application to the SF State Paralegal Program. Law school classes from an ABA-approved law school are not transferable with the sole exception of Legal Research & Writing. Graduate Benefit SF State Paralegal graduates may audit a semester elective course of their choice at a 50% registration fee discount. Registration forms must be submitted to Pat Medina for verification. Payment must be made in person at the 6th floor front desk.

4 English Proficiency Paralegal courses require strong writing skills. Certificate students who do not have a bachelor s degree are required to register for PLS 414 Introduction to Professional Legal Writing which counts for credit as a elective course and also satisfies the literacy requirement. At the discretion of the Program Director, students who are non-native English speakers are encouraged to take PLS 414 to develop their written and oral communication skills in English. Computer Proficiency Basic computer proficiency is essential in the legal workplace and all new students are subject to the following requirements: New students must verify that they have basic computer literacy, including the ability to use a common word processing program, , and the Internet, or develop these skills before they graduate. Students without basic computer literacy must attain these skills through self-study, adult education or junior college. Students who have not worked in a legal setting are required to take Computer Applications in Law Practice, PLS 430. All other students may take this course as an elective. Students must have basic computer literacy skills, including wordprocessing, , and the Internet, before they enroll in this course. Students who have not worked in a legal setting but have extensive computer experience through non-legal employment, may not be required to take PLS 430. Those students should contact Baseemah Rahman at [email protected]. Credit Toward a B.A. Degree Units earned in this program carry full upperdivision academic credit. All units may be applied as general elective units toward a Bachelor of Arts degree at SF State and other CSU institutions. Students should consult universitites for their transfer credit policy. Paralegal Continuing Education California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 sets out statutory requirements for continuing legal education for paralegals. The SF State Paralegal Studies program offers several courses each semester designed to meet this requirement. go to edu for information on upcoming courses or call (415) for information for the current semester. SF State Extended Learning is an approved MCLE, Provider Number CURRICULUM Required Courses (Civil Litigation Emphasis) Students are required to take five three-unit courses that develop the following paralegal skills: interviewing clients and others involved in legal matters performing legal research, including checking the validity of authority and cite-checking performing legal research electronically through computerized legal systems and the Internet gathering and analyzing legal and other documents drafting internal memoranda, correspondence, and legal forms drafting legal memoranda reflecting the results of research drafting a variety of litigation-related documents assisting in the preparation of cases for trial resolving ethical dilemmas by applying rules and law to determine the appropriate ethical conduct making effective oral presentations. Prerequisites PLS 300 and PLS 320, which may be taken concurrently, must be completed with a grade of C or better before a student may take any other class in the Paralegal Certificate program. These prerequisite will be strictly enforced. Students who receive an Incomplete in either PLS 300 or PLS 320 must clear that Incomplete before attempting to register for any other course in the Paralegal Studies program. PLS 395: Pleadings & Motions must be completed with a grade of C or better before a student may take PLS 305: Investigation, Discovery, & Trial Preparation. Required Courses Fall Spring Summer Introduction to Law/Civil Procedure Legal Research & Writing Communication Skills & Legal Ethics Pleadings & Motions Investigation, Discovery & Trial Prep. Computer Applications in Law Practice* Introduction to Professional Legal Writing** *may be required for students not working in a legal setting. **required for students who do not have a B.A. and highly recommended for non-native English speakers. Elective Courses Students may choose any electives to complete the 30-unit program. Elective courses offer in-depth instruction in a variety of practice areas and advanced skills in litigation and research. The range of elective options allows students to gain exposure to several different areas of law practice or to concentrate their studies in a cluster of courses that prepare them for a particular kind of employment. The electives listed below are grouped according to the kind of practice for which these courses are most relevant. Students may concentrate in one area or take any combination of electives suited to their particular interests. All electives are offered on a rotating basis. Some electives are offered once a year and some are offered less frequently. Electives are three units. 1. Corporate and Business Practice These electives relate to corporate and business practice areas typically handled by large, mid-sized and specialized boutique law firms serving the business sector and by in-house counsel of corporations. 2. Advanced Litigation These electives enhance the skills provided in the required core courses with more sophisticated and complex skills in civil litigation. Specialties. More than 70 percent of paralegals work in litigation, usually focusing in one or two particular areas, such as Tort or business litigation. Students interested in litigation should also take some specialized practice courses to complement their general litigation skills. Note: Those interested in large law firms should take business-oriented courses; those interested in small firm practice should take Family Law, Criminal Law, and Evidence. 3. Estate Planning Some attorneys, in both large and small law firms, specialize in the planning and handling of wills, trusts, and estates. Students interested in this area should take Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, and Probate Procedures; also of particular value in this area are Real Estate Practice,Torts, Contracts and Elder Law. 4. Recommended for all areas, particularly for those without prior legal experience: Two courses are highly recommended regardless of the chosen area of law practice. Paralegal Internship gives students practical on-the-job work experience in a supervised setting and makes a valuable addition to a résumé. Computer Applications in Law Practice enhances the student s basic computer skills with hands-on instruction in specific legal applications and is required for students who are not already working in a legal setting.

5 Electives and Their Specialty Areas Electives Administrative Law Advanced Legal Research Bankruptcy Computer Applications* Computer Applications II Contemporary Legal Issues Contracts Corporations Law Criminal Law Elder Law Employment Law Environmental Litigation Evidence Family Law Paralegal Internship Immigration Law Intellectual Property Introduction to Professional Legal Writing** Probate Procedures Real Estate Practice Torts Trademarks & Copyrights Wills, Trusts and Estates * required for students not working in law; elective for other students. ** required for students who do not have a B.A. and highly recommended for non-native English speakers. Textbooks Paralegal textbooks will be available for purchase ONLY from the SF State Bookstore (main campus) in the Text Book section or from their website: Select California, select San Francisco State University, this will take you to the new SF State Bookstore website. Select Books, select Textbooks & Course Materials, select current term, select PLS, select course number. For more information, please call (415) LexisNexis Subscription Option Students officially enrolled in the 30-unit Paralegal Studies Certificate Program have the option to purchase a LexisNexis (LN) subscription for $80. This non-refundable subscription rate entitles the student to LN access for at school or at home use for one full year (commercial or business use is strictly prohibited). LN access terminates at the end of the one-year subscription period, or upon graduation or withdrawal from the program, whichever comes sooner. Sign-up begins during the first two weeks of fall and spring semester. Checks or money orders, payable to SFSU CEL only, will be collected by Eduardo Cerpa, Baseemah Rahman, or Pat Medina (no cash or credit cards). No additional subscriptions will be accepted after the sign-up period ends. Direct ALL inquiries re: the LexisNexis subscription program to Eduardo Cerpa at [email protected] or [email protected]. Paralegal Library Room 615 The Library is open to all prospective and current students and contains books on areas of instruction, the paralegal profession, student internship journals, legal newspapers, career resources, and professional association newsletters and magazines. Financial Aid The College of Extended Learning receives no state money to support its programs; therefore, financial aid is extremely limited. Financial aid, if granted, is only available to students who are admitted to the academic certificate program, enrolled in at least six units per semester and have not yet earned a baccalaureate degree. Financial aid is only available in the fall and spring semesters. For further information, contact Milly Mohr at the financial aid office at (415) , or [email protected], or visit their website at: Certificate Requirements and Award An academic certificate is awarded after successful completion of 30 units (including all required courses and elective courses). At least 21 units must be graded on an A-F basis. Required courses, PLS 300, 305, 310, 320, and 395 must be completed with a letter grade. For information on registering for courses on a credit/no credit basis see SF State Extended Learning catalog. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses and have a cumulative average of C+ to earn the certificate. All coursework must be completed within a four-year period, and financial obligations to the university must be cleared. Students who graduate with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher will have honors recognition on their certificates. Graduation Application Deadline An application for the certificate must be submitted no later than eight weeks after the beginning of the session in which a student intends to graduate. Applications not received by the deadline will not be processed until the following semester. Note: Those who do not have baccalaureate degrees must attach proof of passing PLS 414 to their graduation applications. Register for Courses Early Admission to the Paralegal Studies program does not guarantee a seat in class. Registration for individual courses is on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is strongly advised. Advising and Career Information Session A special advising and career information session for prospective paralegal students is held three times a year before the start of each semester. Program staff, graduates who are practicing paralegals, and representatives from the San Francisco Paralegal Association provide information on the program, career opportunities and the profession. See SF State Extended Learning catalog or go to for current dates. REQUIRED COURSES PLS 0300 INTRODUCTION TO LAW/CIVIL PROCEDURE This course provides an overview of the American system of civil litigation and the role the paralegal plays in it. You will learn the sources of the law; how to read and brief a case; the similarities and differences between the California and federal systems; trial preparation and alternative dispute resolution. The course follows a hypothetical civil dispute, based upon the laws of contracts and torts, from its inception through trial. Students will acquire skills needed to prepare and file basic pleadings and discovery tools. They will be introduced to the basics of case management; trial preparation and the appeal process. PLS 0320 LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING Prerequisite: PLS 300 (may be taken concurrently) or equivalent In this comprehensive, basic legal research course, students are introduced to legal research materials and taught how to use the law library. Skills developed include using statutes, codes, cases, digests, citations, encyclopedias, legal periodicals and government documents; finding, reading and synthesizing cases and statutes; and preparing certain kinds of legal memoranda. Assignments emphasizing problem analysis, legal writing and legal research tools normally require at least six to eight hours per week in a law library. Demonstration and hands-on use of LexisNexis online database, and the Internet are included.

6 PLS 0310 COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND LEGAL ETHICS This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the principles and rules of legal ethics and professional responsibility, with particular emphasis on their application to legal paralegals, and to develop students abilities to communicate effectively in the legal environment. Ethics material includes regulation of lawyers and legal assistants, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality and attorney-client privilege, conflicts of interest, advertising and solicitation, competence and professionalism. Students communication skills are enhanced through weekly assignments, including case briefs, mock interviews, and formal presentations. PLS 0395 PLEADINGS & MOTIONS This course covers the theoretical and practical legal skills necessary to draft pleadings and motions in civil cases. Thorough analysis of the courts, jurisdiction and venue and parties to a suit as they relate to pleadings are included. Students draft complaints, motions, answers, and other pertinent documents used in all aspects of a lawsuit. PLS 0305 INVESTIGATION, DISCOVERY, & TRIAL PREPARATION Prerequisite: PLS 300, 320, 395, or equivalent This course concentrates on investigation, discovery, and trial preparation in civil litigation. Content includes state and federal discovery procedures and statutes; methods of gathering factual data; preparation and organization of evidence for trial; analysis and digesting of discovery motions and documents; and the role of the paralegal at trial. Emphasis is on tort litigation. PLS 0430 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN LAW PRACTICE I Prerequisite: basic computer skills, MS Office software, Internet access, and an Internetbased account (e.g. Yahoo!, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.). Note: This course may be taken concurrently with PLS 300 and 320. This class is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office as it is used in law practice, and hands-on experience with essential litigation and practice management software applications. In addition to MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access, students will learn how to: use Legal Solutions Plus to construct case files that utilize California Judicial Council forms; assemble documents and create templates with HotDocs; use CaseMap to organize and explore the parties, documents and issues of a case; and analyze case facts using TimeMap. Students will also learn the strategies of effective Internet-based legal research and become familiar with LexisNexis (non-subscribers will be provided with limited access). Class size limited to 20 students. ELECTIVES PLS 0340 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW Administrative law is the set of rules which control and limit the power and practices of administrative agencies. This course is designed to develop paralegal skills for effectively dealing with federal, state, and local agencies, particularly those which employ or do business with paralegals. Topics include the structure and function of agencies, government information and citizen privacy, regulation and rule making, due process, adjudication and judicial review. Emphasis is on individual research projects and guest speaker format, as well as lectures. PLS 0420 ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING This is an in-depth course for developing legal writing and research skills. Emphasis is on detailed research, including statutory development and legislative history, court records, agency documents and on-line services. The course covers a broad range of substantive topics, and legal writing assignments involving both memoranda of law and legal instruments are included. PLS 0350 BANKRUPTCY: DEBTOR S RIGHTS & CREDITOR S REMEDIES This course covers the basics of the bankruptcy process under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (Title 11), with emphasis on liquidation proceedings (under Chapter 7 of Title 11). The course will also cover repayment plans (Chapter 13) and reorganization plans (Chapter 11). This course will introduce students to the history, terminology, and fundamental concepts of bankruptcy. Course assignments will focus on the preparation of documents acceptable for bankruptcy filing as well as research of bankruptcy statues, rules and cases. PLS 0431 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN LAW PRACTICE II Prerequisite: PLS 300, 320, 395, and 430; must have been completed prior to taking this class. This class is a continuation of PLS 430, covering intermediate and advanced usage of specialized legal software including litigation support software (CaseMap, Concordance and Relativity) and trial presentation software (Sanction). This course will additionally concentrate on a practical approach to the process of collecting, preparing, reviewing, and producing electronic documents in a variety of criminal and civil actions and proceedings at the state and federal level. Content includes methods and technology of collecting electronic data, preservation of electronic data, preparation of electronic data for review and methods of production and presentation of electronic data. Emphasis on technical and legal aspects of the software being presented each week. We will use software that the students can expect to encounter and utilize in the field. Class size limited to 20. PLS 0386 CONTEMPORARY LEGAL ISSUES: CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION & HABEAS CORPUS This course is primarily for paralegal students interested in learning about and understanding the basics of constitutional law. The focus will primarily concern U.S. Supreme Court cases, however, where the California Constitution provides a different perspective, it will be addressed as well. PLS 0426 CONTRACTS This course is designed to introduce students to contract law. Substantively the course will examine one of the three major areas of civil litigation. Contracts will be examined from formation, through defenses and discharge to performances and remedies. Students will read and analyze case authority, create pleadings, engage in provisional pretrial remedies and solve drafting problems. PLS 0390 CORPORATIONS LAW This course familiarizes the student with the functions of a paralegal in corporate law, including preparation of initial and amended articles of incorporation, drafts of stock certificates, stock ledgers and books, corporate minutes and resolution. Topics include the principal forms of business enterprise and their major concerns, the role of a paralegal in employment agreements, stock options, buy-sell agreements, registration materials for regulatory agencies, acquisition and merger transactions, and closings. PLS 0370 CRIMINAL LAW. This course focuses on legal procedures and practice in criminal law, including selected crimes and their element, the function of the grand jury and preliminary hearing, the law of search an seizure and other pretrial motions. Also covered are methods of jury selection, preparation of case for trial, plea bargaining, death penalty law, and procedure, diminished capacity and insanity, sentencing and other post-trial procedures. PLS 0360 ELDER LAW This course covers the legal issues involved in working with the elderly, including estate planning, elder abuse, conservatorships, long-term care, and ethics, Including: estate planning: creating critical legal documents including wills and trusts, durable powers of attorney and advance health care directives timing, competency, and undue influence elder abuse and profiles of financial and physical abuse at-home care and care managers; independent living and assisted living

7 skilled nursing facilities, Medical eligibility, share of cost and estate recovery; conservatorships and accountability to the court ethical considerations in elder law, including relationships with clients, fees, and conflicts of interest PLS 0325 EMPLOYMENT LAW This course examines the legal basis and litigation strategy of employment cases, including discrimination and wrongful termination. The course will cover both federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and age. Topics covered will also include sexual harassment, affirmative action, defamation, drug testing, and privacy rights in the workplace. PLS 0475 EVIDENCE FOR PARALEGALS Prerequisite: PLS 300, 320, 305 and 395 or consent of instructor. This is an advanced litigation class which concentrates on the principles of evidence as practiced in criminal and civil courts and alternative dispute resolution including judicial arbitration. Content includes the rules and standards that determine the admissibility and content of evidence. This course will assist paralegals to become adept in properly collecting, preserving, presenting and coordinating evidence at the pretrial and trial levels. Students specializing in litigation, as well as working paralegals, will learn how to identify evidentiary issues, assist attorneys in resolving evidentiary problems in advance of trial or ADR proceedings, and help with trial preparation work (trial binders, exhibits, etc.). PLS 0330 FAMILY LAW This is a practice-oriented overview of familylaw substantive law and procedure: child custody and visitation, property division, child and spousal support, alternative dispute resolution, domestic violence. It is designed to develop paralegal skills for conducting client and witness interviews, drafting routine pleadings, and understanding basic family-law procedure. Students will be introduced to psychological issues, high-conflict cases, developing sensitivity to clients, awareness of ethical issues and the legal system s capacities and limitations. PLS 0345 IMMIGRATION LAW This course is a basic introduction to the theory and practice of immigration law, with an emphasis on immigration law and procedures in the following areas: family and employment visas, political asylum, naturalization and nonimmigrant visas. Students gain an understanding of immigration theory and practice and develop practical skills in preparation of forms and supporting documentation, client interviews and case preparation. Current issues in immigration are discussed and analysed. PLS 0435 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY This course introduces students to patent law and related matters. The course addresses the role of paralegals in matters such as: (1) patent preparation and prosecution; (2) trade secret protection; and (3) enforcement and licensing of patents and other related forms of intellectual property rights. Particular attention is paid to patents and related intellectual property in the context of technology acquisition, portfolio management and technological commerce. PLS 0414 INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL LEGAL WRITING This course may be taken concurrently with PLS 300 and PLS 320. It is required for all certificate students who do not have a B.A, and is also required for non-native English speakers. This course is highly recommended as an elective for students interested in an intensive writing course designed to improve their professional written communication skills. Effective written communication is important in every professional interaction. This writing course moves well beyond undergraduate composition courses to focus on understanding grammar and style. PLS 0380 PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP Prerequisite: PLS 300 and 320 plus two additional courses depending on placement. Open only to admitted certificate program students. An Internship bridges the gap between the classroom and the legal work world. Students are placed in a legal setting of their choice for two days per week for 15 weeks (120 hours.) Under special circumstances one day of week may be considered. Students are also required to attend monthly Saturday morning seminars on ethics, interpersonal communications in the law office, résumé writing, office politics, time management, and stress prevention. Placements are available with large and small law firms, corporations, and legal service and government agencies. Students without legal experience are strongly encouraged to take this course, which may be taken twice for a total of six units. This course is graded on a credit/ no credit basis. Special note to students with full-time job commitments: The Bar Association of San Francisco Volunteer Legal Services program offers students training in its pro bono clinics, usually held on evenings and Saturdays. An Internship Application must be completed and returned to Pat Medina. [email protected] or [email protected] to request an application or pick one up in the Paralegal Library room 615. NOTE: Counseling for students interested in internships on an individual basis, students should contact Pat Medina at [email protected]. NOTE: Students may ONLY register with a signature from Pat Medina. PLS 0375 PROBATE PROCEDURES This course will introduce students to the basic probate estate terminology, concepts, and procedures. The emphasis of the course will be on the procedural aspects of probate estate administration. Course assignments will focus on the preparation of documents related to probate proceedings from the initial opening of the probate estate to the closing of the estate and distribution of the estate s assets. PLS 0410 REAL ESTATE PRACTICE This course focuses on understanding the documents, law, and institutions involved in all types of real estate transactions. The course provides an overview of the real estate transaction area and an introduction to the purchase and sale of single-family homes, commercial properties, and construction transactions. Basic real estate principles are included. Materials used consist of the text, hypothetical problems, and selected readings from the Civil Code and class handouts. PLS 0415 ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION Prerequisite: PLS 300, 305, 320, and 395. This course covers major environmental laws as well as federal and California environmental programs and agencies that generate litigation and require compliance. Emphasis is on the role of the paralegal in compliance counseling and in the preparation of an environmental case for trial. This course also includes analysis of several representative cases. PLS 0425 TORTS Designed to supplement the procedural knowledge of the paralegal, this course addresses selected topics of the substantive law of torts, contracts, and remedies. The subject matter has been chosen to familiarize paralegals with concepts frequently utilized in litigation and is aimed at raising the level of paralegal sophistication in understanding litigable issues. PLS 0355 WILLS, TRUSTS, & ESTATE PLANNING This course covers the role of the paralegal in estate planning practice, emphasizing those aspects most related to paralegal functions. Topics covered include control and disposition of property during life and at death, intestate succession, and federal gift and estate taxes. Students develop an estate plan, draft a will and a trust, and prepare a health care power of attorney, and a gift tax return. PLS 0436 TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS This course offers a practical approach to trademark and copyright law for paralegals. The procedures by which an applicant secures federal trademark and copyright registrations are covered, along with an overview of the Lanham Act, as modified by the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988, copyright as covered by the U.S. Constitutional and Federal Codes. Trademark and copyright infringement and remedies for infringement are also covered.

8 SF State Extended Learning Downtown Campus 835 Market Street, 6th Floor San Francisco, CA /2014 PARALEGAL STUDIES SF STATE ABA APPROVED PARALEGAL STUDIES ACADEMIC CERTIFICATE Administration Pat Medina, Program Director, Placement and Internship Coordinator Baseemah Rahman, Program Coordinator Eduardo Cerpa, Program Assistant For further information contact: Program Coordinator, Paralegal Studies Certificate Program Phone: (415) Fax: (415) Ruth Astle, J.D., Attorney, California Administrative law judge Vince Avellino, J.D., Contract Attorney Maryann Dressner, J.D., Attorney in private practice David Goldstein, J.D., Attorney in private practice John Hanft, J.D., Attorney, Director, Witkin Legal Institute, West Group, author Charles Jenkins, J.D., Attorney in private practice William Jenkins, J.D., Deputy Attorney General Mali Kigasari, Federal investigator Pat Medina, Retired Senior Litigation Paralegal, Author, Program Director Ariana Mohit, J.D., Attorney in provate practice, Golden Gate Law School Faculty Alan Silverman, J.D., Attorney in private practice, Family Law Specialist Jason Singer, Foreign Filing Specialist, Morrison & Foerster Joe Tobener, J.D., Attorney in private practice Nancy Van Tassel, J.D., Claims Counsel, Fidelity National Financial Steven Weisberg, J.D., Marin County small claims advisor and consultant Pamela Wolpa, Senior Litigation Paralegal, Littler Mendelson, P.C. Mitzi Wortman, RNC, CCM, LNC, Legal Nurse Services Louis Wu, J.D., Patent Attorney in private practice, Golden Gate Law School Faculty Mark Yates, J.D., Attorney in private practice